‘I’ve really no idea what’s going on between they two – she and Matthias. She don’t give nothing away, there’s too much of Clem in her for that, and he’s so shy about that sort of thing.’ Alice giggled. ‘I know I shouldn’t laugh but he looks so pained at times.’

Alice wished she could tell Kerensa the true reason for her new-found radiance, but it was too close to her heart, too personal.

It had been a shock when Morley had turned up at the home of the Perranbarvah bride to collect her, Rosie and the children with the astonishing news of the attack on Jack and Kerensa.

On her arrival home Dr Crebo was getting ready to leave. The surgeon-physician had patched up Jack as best he could and he pounced on Alice as the obvious head female of the household, giving her precise instructions on how he was to be nursed. He had little hope of Jack recovering. His injuries were very serious and the main concern was the internal bleeding he had suffered. The doctor wasn’t concerned about his fees, he was content in the knowledge that at some point the Pengarron estate would forward the payment, and after warning sternly that on no account was Jack to be moved he’d made to go.

‘But Dr Crebo,’ Alice hailed him from the door.

‘Yes, what is it, Mrs Trenchard?’ he replied impatiently. ‘I thought I had given you clear instructions.’

‘Aren’t you going to stay and deliver Lady Pengarron’s baby?’

‘All safely over and done with,’ the doctor beamed. ‘Your husband delivered the infant a goodly time before I arrived here. I have examined Her Ladyship and her child and both are well, despite Her Ladyship’s terrible ordeal, I’m happy to say. Your husband can pride himself on a task well done.’

Alice sat down. ‘Clem delivered the baby?’

The doctor promptly left, leaving Alice in her amazement. Morley had hurried off to do the evening milking, Kenver was watching over Jack and Rosie was keeping the children out of the way outside. Clem, presumably, was upstairs with Kerensa and the baby he had delivered.

What would this mean? With this special and intimate event between him and Kerensa, and with Oliver still away, would it open up a new longing in Clem for the beautiful, desirable, and now so vulnerable young woman lying in her bed? Alice knew Kerensa still held a deep affection for Clem. Would she feel an overwhelming need for him? Alice knew neither Clem nor Kerensa would lightly hurt her, but emotional needs could and often did outweigh the conscience.

‘You all right, love?’ Clem’s voice intruded on her thoughts.